Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-10-01
A MAINE GIRLS DOWNFALL.
D1aine,s Former Private Secre-
tary a Dish washer.

tary N Dish washer.
A pitiful story of downfall comes
from Haverhill, Mass. Years ago 8
bright, open-hearted and honest girl
was private Secretary to James G
Blaine. To-day physical wreck
broken down mentally, and with nc
social standing, she earns her daily
bread by washing dishes and doing
other work in a Haverhill restaurant.
Born in the pretty village of Gardiner,
Me-, on the banks of the swift-howing
Kennebec, she. passed the days of her
childhood. The public schools of her
native town furnished her early edu-
cation, where she was graduated with
honors. Her parents were wealthy
and held high social position. She
was the belle of the village, and a
bright future opened up before her.
When she was twenty-three years
of age she became private secretary
to the "Plumed Knight" James G.
Blaine. As such she became gen.
eral favorite in society, and there are
many people in Washington to-day
who, should l mention her name,
would at once recognize this once bril-
liant woman. At one time her name
frequently appeared in society jour-
nails as leader at fashionable water
ing-places, and on many well-known
occasions of national importance she
was present as a special guest.
But society was her ruin. In her
early days she had one lover, bright
and promising young man who now
Vtvne fhn VII, s,,p pro 1fNrI and
fills an important position in the
manufacturing world. Their engage
ment was announced about the time
she became secretary to Mr.. Blaine.
But the demands of the society led her
away from her boy lover, and it was
not long ere the engagement was
broken by her. That was many years
ago, and now comes the dark side of
the story.
One night last winter a well-known
gentleman of Bradford was on his
homeward journey. His way led
along near the river road. The wind
was blowing gale and the storm was
increasing every minute. He saw
an object down near the bushes on the
river bank, and on investigation it
proved to be waman, who, thinly clad
and apparently the worse for liquor,
was wondering aimlessly about. The
man took her to his home, and his
wife cared for her. This woman was
the bright and fascinating private Sec
retary Of former times. AS soon as
she was in condition to do 80 she told
her story.
Why had she come to Haverhill?
Simply to see once more the boy lover
lover whom she had Tilted in the Pine
Tree State. In her pocket she had
one of his love letters, written years
ago, and it seems she had carried it
with her for many years. When pri-
vate secretary she acquired the habit
of drinking wines at receptions and
other social events. Wine led to
something stronger, and finally she
gave up her situation with Mr.. Blaine.
The habit of drink was strong, and
she soon fell from her position in So
ciety. OF late years she has sup
ported herself as best she could, doing
housework and the like.
The man who loved her in the years
gone by, and whom she came to see,
called upon her, and was affected to
tears at the sight of the hearts idol of
his younger days. The woman is now
working here in restaurant. She
has wealthy relatives in Dover, N. H.,
and her father is in prosperous circum-
stances in Brighton.-[ Times-Demo-
,crat.